The GSFMech Build

[GSFMECH]

Time for another update.

I have all the sheet metal blocked and ready for paint. All that's left is the cab and the cowl panel. When I get back home I'm removing the cab and get it done top and bottom. Then it's on to the chassis while the cabs off. It sure feels good to make a little progress.The problem is I'm running out of shop space LOL.

[GSFMECH]

A few more shots.

[Rokcrln]

Mike you are doing an outstanding job on your truck. From what you are showing us it looks to be a very solid well thought out build that you will enjoy every time you get in and on it! Just remember before you start putting the cab and doors back together after paint you will want to sound deaden the hack out of that thing. I did this with LowBuck but not to the extent I wish I had because it never came all the way apart but it still made a huge difference and it is a real joy to drive.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[GSFMECH]

Thanks Kevin, that's quite a compliment coming from you. I watch your builds with amazement.

I had put some cheap insulation that looked like bubble wrap with a foil side used in houses that I got from Lowes or somewhere when I was driving it before. It worked really well and helped a lot but I think I'm going to try the lizard skin coating inside the doors and floor etc. this time. Then maybe come over it with dyna mat or something similar. I want to get this thing sealed up as best I can.

[krue]

Looks good! Sucks you won't make this years Cruzn, but maybe it'll work out.

[GSFMECH]

Krue,

I'm crossing my fingers it will be done by cruising (just in case) but really doubt I make it.

[GSFMECH]

Here are some of the loose parts blasted and ready to start finishing.

[GSFMECH]

Here is just a little of my NOS parts stash that I will be using on this build, I have some buried in my attic (grill etc.) and some of them the packaging is gone so I have them wrapped in newspaper.

[mkundo]

I really like your aproch in refurbishing your truck.I know it will be enjoyed.
Have fun.

[chevy72blu]

Originally Posted by GSFMECH

chevy72blu,

It's 2-3/4".

Repped! Thanks man

[GSFMECH]

Time for another update. I pulled the cab off to work on the floor pan and to paint the frame. I used a 4x4 beam bolted to my engine crane.

[GSFMECH]

I had a bucket seat brace I got from Wynne (HuggerCST) and installed it. Here's some shots of the brace and the seats. This is an easy job to do with the cab off the frame.

[GSFMECH]

I finished up the bucket seat braces and sanded the floor pan and primed it with epoxy. I used 3M fast and firm and sealed up all the seams and shot it with 3M rubberized undercoating. I painted the main braces with some semi gloss black first and then hit the actual floorpan with the undercoating. It looks pretty good. I'm after very low maintenance and mainly wanted it protected. Hopefully the epoxy will lock it up and keep it rust free for a few years.

[GSFMECH]

Well it doesn't look like I did a whole lot but believe me it was a lot of work. Here are a few photos while I was blocking the outside of the cab.

[GSFMECH]

Another shot and also the finished firewall and cowl.

[GSFMECH]

I used 3M #8500 seam sealer and sealed up all the seams before the last coat of primer. I took photos of my old parts trucks and tried my best to duplicate the factory but this stuff did shrink a bit more than I expected but it looks good. I'll probably touch it up a bit before we put the sealer on it.

[GSFMECH]

Next I blocked the kickpanels a couple of times because of the repairs I had to make to them. The rest of the interior was real good so I scuffed it, sealed the seams and shot it with a coat of primer over the epoxy. These are shots of the completed interior along with a few of the misc. pieces in the floor board such as air vents, glove box door etc

[GSFMECH]

Next I pulled the engine from the frame, pulled the shocks and all my powder coated stuff I didn't want to paint and removed all the brake and gas lines. I drug the frame out, soaked it with oven cleaner and pressure washed it. Man it was cruddy. I then brought it back in the shop, buffed it with wire wheels and ospho'd it
.

[GSFMECH]

I let the Ospho dry and scuffed it and painted it with Nason chassis black. I then reassembled everything and installed my new Inline Tube brake lines, clips and hoses. I then cleaned up the gas lines and reinstalled. I didn't bother rebuilding the suspension or brakes because all of it was pretty fresh, I had went through all that a few years ago. I installed my new big block shift linkage and I painted the core support, battery box and a bunch of small parts with epoxy. I had blasted all this stuff a while back. Anyway I painted the battery box and core support with the chassis black as well.

[GSFMECH]

Can't forget about the 72 big block mounts I got from HuggerCST.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looking good...

[GSFMECH]

Another thing I wanted to say but forgot. I really thought about powder coating the frame and really do a great job detailing it but then I thought about it and decided I didn't want to lay on my back cleaning the underside if I get caught in the rain. I plan on driving this thing. So I went with the paint mainly so it would be nice and clean while I work on it and to protect the steel. Here is a shot of the upper rubber bumpers for the A-arms (I changed all of them) and the calipers, I did the cast paint on them and a crappy picture of the battery box and splash panels for the bed. There are a lot of small parts on these trucks that you have to remember to paint.

[Palf70Step]

Things are looking really good!!

That cab puller looks very familiar.

I guess great minds work alike

[GSFMECH]

Hey Bill Thanks, Yeah it works real good.

[GSFMECH]

My Buddy Kevin (65Streetcruiser) came over and we watersanded the firewall, the front of the doors, the inside of the front fenders and shot them. Finally after 2 1/2 years I get to see some blue paint. We shot the door hinges and the a-pillars where they bolt on as well.